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Birkbeck, University of London is located in Bloomsbury, in the very centre of the UK’s cosmopolitan capital city, and students at the university are ideally placed to experience everything that London has to offer.
It offers a portfolio of over 250 taught and research postgraduate programmes spanning a range of subject areas, including the humanities and social sciences, business, law, and science.
Students at the university are members of the prestigious University of London, which represents a collection of many of the city’s top performing institutions.
Birkbeck is built for the busy. It has over 200 years’ experience of providing exceptional learning experiences designed to fit in with students’ schedules. A wide range of different study options allows students to choose when and how they study, so they can balance their degree with work and develop their career or other commitments.
Most degree programmes have classes in the evenings between 6pm and 9pm and many also run classes in the afternoons, allowing students to choose between evening or daytime classes or on some of programmes, a combination of both.
Many modules are delivered via the latest technology which enables students who are eligible for remote study to join classes online and take part in them fully alongside those in the classroom on campus.
Birkbeck offer an extensive range of postgraduate study programmes, and nearly all of its taught master’s programmes can be studied over one-year full-time or two years part-time.
At Birkbeck, people are a force for change. New students join a community that transforms lives. Around 90% of Birkbeck academics are research-active and many are renowned experts in their fields.
In many universities, their top academics don't teach in the classroom but at Birkbeck teaching is delivered by experts, providing valuable insights to help progress each individual student’s career.
Birkbeck offers a huge variety of courses across MA, MSc and LLM qualification types and options to study research degrees such as MPhil, MRes and PhD qualifications in more than 40 subject areas. Additionally, the university supports network of research groups, undertaking leading work into many of the most pressing challenges faced by academic and professional fields across the globe, and connecting with the wider research community to collaborate and share insights.
The postgraduate learning community includes over 4,000 masters-level students and over 500 doctoral researchers, all of whom are assigned supervisors who share both their academic knowledge and research methodologies.
Birkbeck was founded with the idea of making high quality education accessible to anyone with the desire and determination to succeed, regardless of background or personal circumstances. That commitment remains strong today, and the university is proud to have one of the most diverse student communities in the UK. This diversity enriches the academic environment and brings a broad range of perspectives to the learning experience.
Postgraduate entry requirements differ by course, though applicants typically need a second-class honours degree in a relevant subject. However, the university recognises that academic potential can take many forms, and the admissions team considers each application on an individual basis. Applicants with substantial professional experience or qualifications approved by the University of London are encouraged to apply and to contact the university admissions team for any questions about the process.
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REQUEST INFOBirkbeck has built a world-class reputation for excellence in research output and teaching quality, with a large and active research community.
The university is proud of the numerous accolades achieved throughout its 200-year-plus history, and it is no surprise that it ranks among the world’s top 400 institutions.
Birkbeck has earned an international reputation for the excellence of its research and teaching. In the UK’s 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), 83% of its research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. The university supports a thriving research culture through more than 40 dedicated centres, which span its many academic schools and departments.
These centres promote collaboration across disciplines and contribute to high-quality, peer-reviewed outputs. Birkbeck is connected to a wider research network of other top universities and professional organisations, working towards some of the most significant issues in society, governance, science, technology, and healthcare.
Most Birkbeck students work and develop their career whilst they study. All degree courses are designed to equip students with valuable transferable skills that employers want, alongside up-to-date knowledge about the subject area.
The university’s award-winning careers and enterprise team provide comprehensive careers and employability expertise to help students progress their careers. Students often find themselves learning alongside a diverse mix of people including working professionals keen to network, make contacts and share their knowledge and expertise.
Birkbeck supports entrepreneurial students through start-up resources, freelance accelerator programmes, and mentoring opportunities. Final-year students can join the mentoring pathways scheme, connecting with experienced professionals from the Birkbeck community for guidance and career support.
The university works with a range of UK employers, across multiple sectors, to provide exciting and valuable micro-placement opportunities to both Birkbeck students and recent graduates. 95% of Birkbeck’s students are in work or further study six months after graduating.
Birkbeck’s Students’ Union is an independent body that represents and supports students at the university, promoting their rights and wellbeing while fostering a strong community through events, activities, and societies. It facilitates communication with university staff, ensuring student voices are heard, and plays a key role in enriching the social and extra-curricular student experience in London.
Studying a degree presents many opportunities to try new things. Birkbeck’s students’ union facilitates an exciting range of student-organised clubs and special-interest societies. Many are free to join and bring excellent opportunities to extend the student experience beyond the classroom, with like-minded individuals.
There are a range of sports teams available to join at a number of levels of ability from purely recreational to competitive.
Bloomsbury is home to the British Museum, the British Library and several other universities. Chinatown, Soho and Covent Garden, as well as some of the world’s best shops, theatres, music venues, bars and restaurants are all within a few minutes’ walk.
The area is well connected by public transport, and students can easily explore other areas of London for a truly memorable university experience.
While the majority of students decide to live in private accommodation, some full-time students choose to live in the University of London intercollegiate halls, including its Garden Halls right on Birkbeck's doorstep.
Birkbeck offers free professional housing advice for students hoping to find private rental accommodation, and the University of London Housing Services can also offer advice and guidance.
Birkbeck offers access to state-of-the-art research laboratories and facilities across its academic departments. To support students’ learning, it’s five-floor library hosts a selection of peaceful study spaces and essential IT facilities as well as thousands of course-relevant books, journals and digital resources. Students can also take advantage of access to the University of London’s network of shared study spaces and libraries.
In addition to Birkbeck’s lively students’ union, the university has plenty of places for socialising, such as on-campus student lounge areas, cafes and a bar.
Birkbeck provides a dedicated network of student support services to ensure that all students have the resources and guidance to succeed, as well as the encouragement needed to seek help wherever needed.
It offers a comprehensive range of wellbeing services to support students throughout their academic journey. These include access to counselling, mental health advice, and dedicated support for students with disabilities or dyslexia. The University of London chaplaincy provides confidential pastoral care for individuals seeking guidance or reflection on personal, academic, or professional matters. For physical health needs, students can find information about local general practices and out-of-hours medical services. Additionally, Birkbeck’s multi-faith room is available for all students and staff to use as a space for prayer, quiet contemplation, or reflection.
Birkbeck delivers excellent academic support via its student services team, offering personalised one-to-one assistance, online resources, study skills sessions, IT training, and academic writing workshops to help students thrive in their studies.
Birkbeck acknowledges that studying for a postgraduate qualification can be financially challenging and it provides a range of financial services to help ensure students can secure the resources and advice needed to pursue their studies.
These include postgraduate cash bursaries, hardship support for unexpected costs, debt‑fee waivers for asylum seekers, and digital learning grants. Additional funding includes childcare support, specialist scholarships, and discounted tuition for creative and environmental research disciplines.
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VIEW SCHOLARSHIPSMost Birkbeck postgraduate degrees are taught in the evenings (6pm–9pm), with some courses also offering afternoon options, giving students the flexibility to study during the day, in the evening, or both. Taught postgraduate programmes are typically available full-time over one year or part-time over two years.
This flexible teaching model is particularly suited to individuals balancing study with work or other personal commitments.
The university fosters ongoing professional relationships with many other domestic and international institutions and has excellent connections with the wider research community. The Birkbeck Graduate Research School supports postgraduate students by providing courses and transferable skills training tailored to all phases of their PhD journey, along with opportunities to exchange ideas and knowledge across different fields.
The University of London has extensive experience in delivering long-distance learning, allowing students to study for degrees across the world, enabling those who can’t attend university in person to access education.
A number of Birkbeck’s postgraduate programmes are available for distance learning via the University of London’s distance learning programme which allows students to pursue a prestigious qualification from anywhere worldwide. The University of London oversees student administration for these programmes, and full information can be found on the university’s website.
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Birkbeck, University of London
